by Hayden, Sean
“Maybe they have and are just chalking it up to puberty.”
My face went from “on fire” to “blazing inferno.”
“No.”
“No what?”
“No. Not ever. You don’t get to use that word. Never.”
She laughed and left the bathroom. “Put your shirt on and let’s go. I’m hungry.
“You’re always hungry.”
“Being evil takes a lot of energy.”
I laughed and put my shirt on, following her back downstairs. “Bye, Mom,” I called out to the kitchen as we left through the front door.
Clarisse’s pink Beetle was in the driveway, still running. We got in and she backed out, pointing us toward the mall. We drove in mostly silence until we pulled into the parking lot.
“How was dinner last night?”
“Nice. We had ribs.”
“Nummy. Anything interesting happen?”
“Mr. James was uncharacteristically nice. That and he asked me to keep an eye on Jessie at school. So far nothing, but he’s not convinced she won’t suddenly sprout wings and a halo.”
“Most fathers feel that way about their daughters.”
“No. He thinks she might turn into a Chosen anytime now.”
“I know, dork. I was making a joke.”
“Sorry. Not used to that.”
That earned me a punch in the arm as she pulled into a parking spot and killed the engine. We exited and started walking toward the food court entrance. “Anything else?”
“No. Not really. Jessie asked me to do something today and got a little jealous when I told her I was going to the movies with you.”
She stopped a little short. “She’s still worried about us, huh?”
“Yeah. She knows deep down in her heart that we’re just friends, but she still gets a little growly when we’re together. I’ve told her a million times I don’t feel that way about you.”
She gave me a strange look and started walking again. “Yeah. Like I could ever be into worms.”
“I think I told her that, too. Although I said it a little
differently.”
“Ha. I’m sure you did. How did you say it?”
I pulled open the door and held it open for Clarisse, letting the warmer mall-air wash over us. “I think I said that you were way out of my league.”
She stopped midstride. “Don’t ever think that, Connor. You’re a pretty amazing person.” Shaking off the warm and fuzzy moment, she walked through the door.
“Thanks,” I said and followed her inside.
“I’m sick of salad. What do you want to eat?”
“Anything but a pretzel. How about burgers?”
“Sounds good to me. What’s with the sudden aversion to pretzels? I thought they were the main staple of your diet.”
“They were until Shannon started working there…”
“Shanria Shannon?”
I nodded. “Yeah. She freaked me out yesterday.”
Clarisse spun on me and looked angrier than I had seen her in a long time. “Did she hurt you? If she did, I swear I will send her back to her own plane with my sword!”
The other patrons of the food court stopped, glanced at angry Clarisse, and sidled away, seeking other restaurants to dine at. “Er… No. She didn’t attack me. With a weapon. More like with her lips.”
“What?”
“Yeah. As I said, it was weird. One minute she’s giving me free food, warm ones right out of the oven even, and then as I’m leaving, she comes flying across the mall, carries me to one of the alcoves by the exit, and locks lips with me. I thought she hated the Fallen and me in particular.”
“So did I. That is…most unsettling. Stay away from her.”
“Planning on it.”
“Good. Make sure you do.”
“I will.”
“Then I’ll let you live.” She turned and walked up to the register. The girl behind the counter looked like she wanted to run away. I didn’t blame her. I did, too. “Double hamburger with pickles and mayo, large fries, make that two large fries, and a coke. And whatever Mr. Casanova Rico Suave wants. Girls like to give him free food.” She moved to the side and gestured for me to order.
I tried very hard not to look embarrassed which was a far cry from how I was feeling at that exact moment. I kind of wanted to crawl into a hole and die. “Yes, I’ll have the double embarrassment burger with no cheese, a large my-friend-is-a-psycho fries, and a medium Coke.”
The girl lost it. She started laughing as she punched in my order, took one look at Clarisse’s face, paled, and said, “That will be $17.93.”
Clarisse handed the girl a twenty and walked off to find a table, leaving me to wait for the food. The girl handed me the change and gave me a small smile.
“Thanks,” I said.
“Jealous girlfriend, huh?”
“How did you know?” I was a little perplexed.
“You can see it in her face. She’s not too happy with you at the moment,” she said as she nodded toward Clarisse.
“Oh. No. The jealous girlfriend is at home. She’s just my friend who got angry because another girl kissed me yesterday.”
I suddenly realized I probably said too much. The girl gave me a disgusted look and turned to get our food. I just hoped she didn’t spit in it. “Here you go, Rico.” She set the tray down and walked away.
Her attitude made me realize two things. One, I felt like shit because I understood how Jessie felt. Yes, Clarisse and I were friends, but if Jessie went to the movies with anybody else who just happened to have a penis, I would probably be grumbly, too. I owed her a big apology tonight and maybe more of an explanation. The second thing I realized was that the universe sucked. It totally wasn’t my fault that Shannon kissed me and yet I still felt bad because it happened.
I picked up our food and wandered over to the table. I set Clarisse’s food in front of her and kept mine on the tray. I sat down with a sigh.
“What’s the matter with you?”
“Just thinking how unfair life is sometimes. I mean here I was, just trying to leave the mall, and a girl runs up to me and kisses me. Now you’re mad at me, the girl that works at the Burger Shack is pissed at me, and if Jessie ever found out I wouldn’t give you a nickel on my chances of survival. Hell, the bigger bet would be on who would kill me first, her or her father.”
“Connor, I’m sorry. I had no reason to get upset with you. I apologize.”
“What?”
“I’m not repeating it, so eat your embarrassment burger and shut up.”
I laughed. “Thanks. That helped.”
“No. Seriously. Hurry. The movie starts in twenty.”
* * *
An hour into the movie, Clarisse put her hand on my knee. I tried to chalk it up to us finishing the popcorn and Clarisse needing something to wipe the butter off of her hand on, but I wasn’t so sure. I didn’t want to cause a scene by picking up her hand and moving it off my leg, either. It would definitely cause an all-out battle in the middle of the theater. I did the only thing I could do; I ignored it.
I didn’t get to pick the movie. We were in the middle of some supernatural thriller about demons and angels. Clarisse had laughed through the first half, but we had gotten to a particularly steamy part of the movie involving the main character, an ex-priest who had been caught in an affair, and twin demon girls, whom he had no idea were actually winged succubae. I tried to chalk it up to the sex scene when Clarisse started rubbing my leg and moving a little closer to me. Her hand was getting harder to ignore.
“Um, Clarisse…”
“What?”
“Hand…”
She looked down and back up at me. “Oops. Sorry,” she said but didn’t move it, just stopped rubbing. I was half-grateful.
By the time the movie was over, I was sweaty and so ready to go that I felt sick. I silently reminded myself never to go to the movies with Clarisse again. Ever. I swear she enjoyed making me suffer
.
“Well, that was better than I thought it was going to be. The demon twins were pretty hot.”
I did a double take. “You think women are attractive?”
“Some of them.”
“Huh. Nice to know.”
“Why? You planning on meeting any succubae?”
“No. I think I already know one.”
I fought the urge to do a little dance when I saw Clarisse blush. “You suck.”
“Just getting you back for the hand thing.”
“Did it really bother you?”
“More than you know.”
“Good. Don’t kiss other girls. Ever.”
“I won’t,” I said as we made our way to her car.
“Since I have your word, you don’t need to tell Jessie about Shannon. Unless you want to.”
“I actually thought about it long and hard… I think I’m going to. It wouldn’t be fair to not tell her. While I wouldn’t be lying, it wouldn’t be truthing either.”
“You’re growing up, worm. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when she punches you in the face, though.”
“Wouldn’t think of it.”
* * *
“Uh oh.”
Clarisse looked over at me from the driver’s seat as we pulled up to my house. “What?”
“That’s Jessie’s dad’s car. She’s here already. I told her to come over at four. She’s early.”
“That’s a bad thing?”
“I think it’s more of an ‘I want to inadvertently check on Connor coming home with his friend’ type of thing.”
“Ahhh. Gotcha. Want me to come in and pretend like you weren’t all over me at the movies?”
“What!”
“Relax. I’m kidding. About the all over me thing any way. If you want, I will come in and act natural so she can see it’s no big deal when we hang out.”
“Do you think it would help?”
“Probably. Most likely. Shit, I don’t know, but it couldn’t hurt.”
“Okay, then yes. Thank you.”
“Just don’t be a nervous ass when we get inside. Everything will be fine.”
“Alright.”
She parked on the road since the driveway was full of SUV. “Gosh, only sixteen and you’re already having an affair,” she whispered right before we got out of the car.
“Damn it, Clarisse,” I hissed under my breath and opened my car door, wondering at the logic of letting Clarisse within five football fields of my girlfriend.
She giggled behind my back as we entered the front door. Everyone was seated in the living room. Jessie and her dad were sitting on our orange and yellow plaid couch, while Mom and Dad occupied the other two chairs. “Hi, everyone. Hi, Jess,” I said and smiled at her. It wasn’t forced either. Every time I saw her I got the goofiest grin on my face. She returned it until she saw Clarisse enter behind me.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. Hi, Jessica,” Clarisse said.
“Hi, Claire!” My mom stood and gave her a hug. “Come on in and sit down.”
“I need to get going anyway. Conrad can have my seat.” Mr. James stood and patted me on the shoulder as he walked by me.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?”
“Thank you, but no. I have some manuscripts that need editing. I just came by to drop the kiddo off. Enjoy your evening. Call me when you want me to pick you up, Angel.”
“I will, Daddy.”
“Don’t be silly. We can bring her back for you,” my dad chimed in.
“Thank you. I appreciate that. Nice seeing both of you again.” He exited and I sat down next to Jess. Claire plopped down on the floor.
“Did you have fun at the movies?” Jessie’s voice had a peculiar lilt to it, almost as if she was hopeful I didn’t.
“It was okay. The movie was strange, but I didn’t pick it out. Something with demons in it.
She laughed. “Rebirth of Onan?”
“Yeah. I think that was it.”
“Yeah, not on my list of want-to-sees. When are you going to take me to a movie?”
“How about Friday?”
“Good. It’s a date.”
“So, how are you doing, Claire?” Mom started a conversation with Clarisse.
“Hanging in there. Going crazy between school and work. My mall job is gearing up for the holiday season. I’ve been going non-stop.”
“Where do you work?” Dad made an effort to join the conversation.
“Angelique’s Closet. It’s a lingerie store in the mall.”
“I know. I’ve been there a couple of times.”
“Ewww, Dad. More than I needed to know,” I said.
“What? I buy stuff for your mom for Christmas and birthdays. I’m allowed.”
“Whew. I thought you were buying for yourself,” I replied and gave him a wink. Clarisse and Jessie both started giggling. Mom just blushed.
“Er… Yeah. I’m going to start getting dinner ready. Honey, go start the grill. Claire, you’re staying for dinner, too.”
“Yes, Mrs. Sullivan.”
“Jessie, would you prefer chicken or hamburger?”
“Chicken, please.”
“Claire?”
“Both.”
Mom nodded and headed toward the kitchen. Dad dutifully left to go start the grill. I took the opportunity to give Jess a quick kiss. “Missed you,” I whispered.
“Did you?”
I frowned. “I always miss you when you’re not with me. Don’t ever wonder about that.”
“I’m sorry. I’m being a brat, aren’t I?”
“Clarisse, give us a sec would you?”
“Sure, I’ll go help your mom in the kitchen.”
I waited until she left the room and turned on the couch to face Jess. “Actually… No. No you’re not. I had a bit of a realization at the mall today.”
I saw the color drain from Jessie’s face. I felt horrible. “What?”
“Not whatever you’re thinking! Let me finish. I came to the realization that I was the one being stupid. I know you know that Claire and I are just friends and that’s all we’ll ever be, but… I thought about it. If the roles were reversed and you went to a movie with another guy, I’d probably be acting a bajillion times more jealous than you have. You’ve been really cool about Claire’s and my friendship. So from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry and thank you.”
I watched as a single tear rolled down Jessie’s cheek. I gave out a strangled mrmph as she tackled me on the couch and began giving me little kisses all over my face.
“No, Connor. Thank you. Thank you for putting yourself in my shoes and not being a stubborn dick. More importantly, thank you for talking to me about it. I love you!”
“Love you, too, beautiful.”
Chapter 8
“Dear Monday, I hope you die,” I whispered to the ceiling, hoping that something heard me. I didn’t want to get out of bed. Not even a little. Mondays and homework should have their own constitutional amendment, banning them for all eternity.
“Are you up?” Mom stuck her head in my door. I resisted the urge to hurl a pillow at her.
“No. Can I be sick?”
“Only if you can fake blood coming out your ears. Get up, lazybutt.”
I groaned and rolled over. “Five more minutes, Mom.”
“Sweetie, it won’t take me anywhere near five minutes to get a pitcher of ice water. You have two.”
“You’re evil.”
“Now you know where your sister gets it from.”
She left me to wallow in self-misery. When my internal clock registered a minute-and-a-half, I dragged the covers off my body. I didn’t want to chance the pitcher of water that was more than likely on its way up the stairs. I passed Caelyn on the way to the bathroom. “How you doing?”
“Actually, much better. Hey. I need to thank you. For what you did and introducing me to Jenny and Elizabeth.”
“What are brothers for? And don’t say annoying the cra
p out of,” I said and slipped into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.
It took me three minutes to get ready for school. Externally. Internally I was still nowhere near ready, nor would I probably ever be. I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.
“Hurry up, you’re going to miss the bus,” Mom said as I watched the big yellow cheese-wagon sail past our front window.
“Too late, I’ll take my scooter. Want a ride, Cae?”
“Sure,” she said and grabbed her backpack.
“I still don’t like you riding that thing. It’s dangerous.”
“Yeah, well I don’t have a job, so I can’t afford a car.”
“Connor, we discussed this. You may be sixteen now, but you’re not ready to drive a car to school every day.”
I sighed. “I know. The scooter is my idea of a compromise.”
Dad came walking down the stairs. “I’d almost rather you drove a car. It would be safer than that little pile of crap on two wheels.”
“Thanks, Dad!” I used his words against him and shot out the door making him think he had given me the green light on the vehicle. I was pretty sure Mom was inside reading him the riot act, and would be for quite a while. It might even carry over into that night’s dinner conversation.
“That was pretty slick,” Caelyn said as she joined me outside.
“Mom yelling?”
“You have no idea.”
“Come on. Let’s get going.”
I spun the scooter around and let my sister hop on the back of the banana seat. Once she held on, I throttled out as fast as the tiny engine could push two people. We got it up to forty about three blocks down the road. “Slow down, Sir Speedy,” my sister laughed in my ear.
“Shut it. It’s better than yours.”
“True.”
“I’ll make you a deal.”
“What?”
“If Mom and Dad sort out the fight and I’m actually allowed to get a car, the scooter is yours if you want it.”
“Hell yes! Thanks.”
“Least I could do.”
We pulled into the school parking lot and parked. We even walked into school together, which was even more unheard of. Maybe my sister getting turned into a bloodsucking creature of the undead wasn’t a bad thing.